Travel Container for Transporting Of Beverage Containers

ABSTRACT

A collapsible travel container allowing a consumer to safely transport beverage containers acquired abroad as baggage aboard a plane, ship, or other form of mass transit, while reducing the likelihood of breakage or compromise of one or more of the beverage containers.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All material in this document, including the figures, is subject to copyright protections under the laws of the United States and other countries. The owner has no objection to reproduction of this document or its disclosure as it appears in official governmental records. All other rights are reserved.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field is travel baggage and shipping containers.

BACKGROUND ART

Alcohol-related tourism has exploded in the past few decades. Many breweries, wineries, and distilleries have developed handsome alternative income streams by marketing themselves as travel “destinations”, offering anything from tastings to hosting and catering major events. However, there are many restrictions governing the transportation of alcoholic beverages. For example, in the United States, while adults can purchase wine in person, shipping is often a problem. In 24 states, shipping wine from a vintner to a consumer is felony offense carrying a five-year prison sentence. Other parts of the world—such as areas of Europe—may have even more restrictive laws and prohibitions. Given the increasing importance of wineries as tourist destinations, not being able to ship wine to consumers visiting from out-of-area is a barrier to commerce.

One solution was for consumers to hand-carry several newly purchased, unopened bottles on a return flight, thereby ensuring proper transport and reduced chance of breakage. However, this is modernly infeasible. In the past decade, the United States government has imposed severely heightened restrictions on individuals traveling by air, which prohibits such activity. While there is currently no per-passenger quantity limit on beverages with less than 24 percent alcohol—such as wine and beer—transport is difficult because containers capable of holding more than three ounces of fluid are prohibited in carry-on luggage. Subject to airline bag and weight limitations and fees, wine purchasers may still transport wine in checked luggage, but this presents several difficulties. First, travel luggage is often not designed for efficiently and properly protecting wine bottles. Second, wine-specific shipping containers exist, but are often ill-suited for air travel. They often comprise cardboard boxes with foam interiors surrounding bottle-shaped cavities, but are difficult for passengers and airline workers to handle. Furthermore, interior foam is bulky and difficult to collapse, making it impractical for consumers to bring their own shipping containers to a winery.

What is needed is luggage that can transport easily when not in use, and that can provide sufficient protection of unopened beverage containers—such as wine bottles—when deployed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to a collapsible container made of flexible materials designed to surround industry standard beverage shipping containers, but with features to allow easy transport via plane, ship, or other form of mass transit. The flexible material allows one embodiment to be folded into a compact form when not in use such that the invention may be easily and efficiently stowed and carried when not in use. For example, consumers visiting a winery from out-of-state could fold the embodiment and pack it in their luggage. Upon arriving at the winery, and after purchasing a standard ease of wine, they can unfold the embodiment, secure the case inside, conveniently transport the wine in the travel container, and confidently check the embodiment containing the case when they arrive at the airport. An alternate embodiment eases transport from the winery further by incorporating wheels on the bottom or sides. A standard case of wine protects the wine bottles while the invention allows both the consumer and baggage handlers to conveniently handle the package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the invention as fully deployed and ready to receive a shipping container.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the invention as receiving a shipping container.

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the invention as being closed around the shipping container.

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment with additional features easing transport.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment capable of being expanded.

FIGS. 6-11 depict one embodiment in various stages of being folded for compact storage and transport.

FIGS. 12-13 depict one embodiment with wheel assemblies as moving means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following describes preferred embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to those embodiments. The description that follows is for purpose of illustration and not limitation. Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the inventive subject matter, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

Wherever possible, the numbering of elements is consistent throughout the figures. A lack of numbering does not necessarily imply an element is not represented in the figure. Its labeling may be omitted to reduce clutter or improve clarity where appropriate.

In a typical embodiment, the invention comprises a travel container 1 which has a bottom panel 2, at least four side panels 3, and a top panel 4. In a typical embodiment, the side panels 3 are integrally coupled to the bottom panel 2, and to each other. This can be accomplished in any number of standard ways (e.g., stitching, plastic welding where materials allow, etc.). The various panels may even be made of one contiguous portion of like material that can bend or fold (e.g., fabric, flexible plastic, cardboard, even some metals coupled by hinges or hinge-like apparatuses), allowing the embodiment to be folded into a compact form for convenient stowing and travel. The top panel 4 is customarily (but not necessarily) integrally coupled to one of the side panels 3. This configuration forms a flap 8, an interior 9, and an exterior 10. The interior 9 has interior dimensions comprising an interior length 28, interior width 29, and an interior height 30.

In this configuration, one or more side panels 3 each has a top edge 5, and the top panel 4 has side edges 6. One or more side edges 6 of the top panel 4 may be fastened to one or more corresponding top edges 5 of the side panels 3 by a non permanent fastening means 7, which as depicted is a zipper 13 with two sliders 16. It could also be: a single zipper with a single slider; two or more zippers, each with one or more sliders; one or more snaps, buttons, clasps; hook-and-loop fasteners; or any fastening means, or combination thereof, typically used to non-permanently fasten one flexible material to another. Where zippers 13 are used, each zipper typically comprises at least one slider 16, a first set of teeth 17, and a second set of teeth 18. The first set of teeth is typically affixed to and disposed along the side edges 6 of the top panel 4, and the second set of teeth 18 is typically affixed to and disposed along one or more top edges 5 of the side panels 3. The slider 16 is coupled to first set of teeth 17 and the second set of teeth 18 such that when the slider is 16 operated in a first direction 20, the side edges 6 of the top panel 4 are non-permanently fastened to the top edges 5 of the side panels 3, and when the slider 16 is operated in a second reverse direction 21, the side edges 6 of the top panel 4 are unfastened from the top edges 5 of the side panels 3.

Coupled to the exterior 10 are handles 11. These handles are typically permanently affixed to the exterior 10 via any appropriate means. In one embodiment, the handles 11 have horizontal reinforcements 12 also permanently affixed to the exterior 10. As depicted in the figures, the handles 11 and horizontal reinforcements 12 are affixed to two of the side panels 3. In another embodiment, the reinforcements 12 may pass vertically down the side panels 3 and optionally across the bottom panel 2 (not depicted). The material of the reinforcements 12 may be the same as the handles 11 or may be a different flexible or rigid material (e.g., cloth, plastic, nylon, carbon fiber, wood, thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride, steel, etc.). If the material of the reinforcements 12 is the same as the handles 11, the reinforcements 12 and handles 11 may be fashioned from the same integral piece of material.

Typically, the travel container 1 is constructed such that the interior dimensions closely approximate the dimensions of boxes 15 commonly used in the industry to ship beverage containers 16 (e.g., a cardboard box commonly used to ship a case containing 12 bottles of wine).

In one embodiment, each side panel 3 has two side edges 26. In such an embodiment, the non-permanent fastening means 7 extends to the side edges 26 allowing them to be fastened and unfastened along with the top panel, thereby allowing the consumer to more easily place the box 15 into the travel container 1.

The box 15 typically contains lightweight, rigid inserts 17 for dissipating threes typically encountered by the exterior 10 of the travel container 1 during handling and transit. These lightweight, rigid inserts 17 are typically constructed in such a way that when handling forces are applied to the exterior 10, they do not result in breakage of the beverage containers 16. The lightweight, rigid inserts 17 are typically constructed of foam (e.g., polystyrene, closed cell foam, etc.), but could be constructed of any number of force-dissipating materials (e.g., fabric, cloth, rubber, etc.) or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 12-13, the invention optionally comprises two or more moving means 33 allowing for more convenient transport when in use. The moving means could comprise wheel assemblies 14 affixed to the travel container 1 (e.g., the bottom panel 2, as depicted). Wheel assemblies 14 generally comprise wheels 22 and attachment means 23 such as slab 36 or a bracket 24 and rivets 34, bolts, etc. In additional embodiments, the wheel assemblies could comprise means allowing the wheel to freely pivot, such as casters, bearing assemblies 25, or any other applicable means. In other embodiments, the moving means could comprise: nylon sliders allowing the travel container 1 to slide across substantially smooth surfaces; captive ball bearings allowing the travel container 1 to be moved across substantially flat surfaces in any direction; or any other commonly available means allowing the consumer to move the travel container 1 while allowing the surface over which the travel container 1 is being moved to hear some or all of its weight.

In another embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 4, the invention optionally comprises: a rigid, telescoping handle 32; “D” rings 19 to which to attach a carrying strap 31; or rigid posts 35 upon which to rest the travel container when not being moved.

In yet another embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 5, the invention optionally comprises a means for expanding and collapsing one or more of the interior dimensions to more closely accommodate the box 15 or other contents. This typically comprises a fastener and a gusset 38 disposed substantially perpendicular to the dimension to be expanded or collapsed. As depicted, the dimension to be expanded or collapsed is the length 28, and the fastener for expanding and collapsing is a zipper 27. The fastener could also be a snap, button, clasp, hook-and-loop fastener, etc., or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the gusset 38 could be fastener-less, using springs or other materials prone to elastic deformations to keep the gusset collapsed until pushed apart by contents placed in the travel container.

FIGS. 6-12 depict the travel container 1 in various stages between being fully deployed and fully collapsed for compact storage and transport when not in use. Optionally, the travel container 1 can be stored in a slim travel case 37.

While the description of the embodiments focuses on beverage containers, the invention may be used to safely transport nearly any goods, especially those requiring care in handling via plane, ship, or other form or mass transit. For example, the invention could be used to transport plastic file containers, antique dinnerware packaged in cardboard, delicate sculptures with custom-cut foam, etc.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention pertains to tourism and travel and beverage package handling and shipping. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A travel container for transporting beverage containers comprising: a. a bottom panel; b. at least four side panels integrally coupled to the bottom panel; c. a top panel coupled to at least one of the side panels; d. one or more fasteners for coupling/fastening the top panel to the side panels such that when fastened, the bottom panel, side panels, and top panel form a substantially rectangular-shaped closed container having: i. an interior for receiving a rigid box designed to enclose one or more beverage containers during transit, the interior having interior dimensions comprising an interior length, interior width, and interior height; and ii. an exterior; and e. a handle coupled to the exterior for allowing the container to be transported as luggage aboard a plane, ship, or other form of mass transit; the bottom panel, top panel, and side panels being constructed of a flexible/collapsible material for compact storage when the travel container is not in use.
 2. The travel container of claim 1, wherein the fastener couples/fastens a side edge of one or more side panels to a side edge of any adjacent side panels.
 3. The travel container of claim 1, wherein the fastener further comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.
 4. The travel container of claim 1, wherein the fastener further comprises a zipper, wherein the zipper further comprises: a. a first set of teeth disposed along at least one side edge of the top panel; b. a second set of teeth disposed along a top edge of at least one of the side panels; and c. a slider coupled to the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth in such a way that when the slider is operated in a first direction, the side edge(s) of the top panel are non-permanently fastened to the top edge(s) of the side panel(s), and when the slider is operated in a second reverse direction, the side edge(s) of the top panel are unfastened from the top edge(s) of the side panel(s).
 5. The travel container of claim 4 wherein the first set of teeth extends to a side edge of at least one side panel and the second set of teeth extends to a side edge of an adjacent side panel in such a way that when the slider is operated in the first direction, the side edge of the side panel is non-permanently fastened to the side edge of the adjacent side panel, and when the slider is operated in a second reverse direction, the side edge of the side panel is unfastened from the side edge of the adjacent side panel.
 6. The travel container of claim 1 further comprising rollers.
 7. The travel container of claim 6, wherein the rollers further comprise two or more wheel assemblies coupled to the exterior.
 8. The travel container of claim 7 wherein at least two wheel assemblies can freely pivot.
 9. The travel container of claim 6, wherein the rollers further comprise captive ball bearings.
 10. The travel container of claim 6 further comprising a rigid, telescoping handle.
 11. The travel container of claim 1 further comprising sliders.
 12. The travel container of claim 1 further comprising a gusset for expanding and collapsing at least one interior dimension for accommodating contents of varying sizes during use.
 13. The travel container of claim 12, further comprising a spring for ensuring the gusset remains collapsed until expansion is needed.
 14. The travel container of claim 12, further comprising a fastener for ensuring the gusset remains collapsed until expansion is needed.
 15. The travel container of claim 14, wherein the fastener for ensuring the gusset remains collapsed until expansion is needed further comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.
 16. The travel container of claim 14, wherein the fastener for ensuring the gusset remains collapsed until expansion is needed further comprises a zipper, wherein the zipper further comprises: a. a first set of teeth disposed along one or more side panels substantially perpendicular to an axis corresponding to the interior dimension to be collapsed or expanded; b. a second set of teeth disposed along one or more side panels substantially parallel to the first set of teeth; and c. a slider coupled to the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth in such a way that when the slider is operated in a first direction, the travel container is collapsed perpendicular to the axis, and when the slider is operated in a second reverse direction, the travel container is expanded perpendicular to the axis.
 17. The travel container of claim 1, wherein the interior dimensions are approximately the same as exterior dimensions of a container commonly used in the industry for shipping eases of beverages.
 18. The travel container of claim 17, wherein the beverages are wine bottles.
 19. The travel container of claim 17, wherein the interior length is between 44 cm and 50 cm, the interior width is between 30 cm and 36.5 cm, and the interior height is between 38 cm and 46.5 cm.
 20. The travel container of claim 17, wherein the interior length is 49.8 cm, the interior width is 31.4 cm, and the interior height is 39.4 cm.
 21. The travel container of claim 1 further comprising two or more strap attachments for allowing a carrying strap to be attached to the exterior.
 22. The travel container of claim 21, wherein the strap attachments are metal rings.
 23. The travel container of claim 22, wherein the metal rings are “D” rings. 